The Facts: One of Roethlisberger's former coaches believes the quarterback will suit up in 2017. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, who was Roethlisberger's OC from 2007 until 2011, following a three-year stint as the Steelers' wide receivers coach, told ESPN he has a feeling that Roethlisberger will play next season. "I think given time, he'll be ready to roll," Arians said.
Diehards Line:
Roethlisberger surprised the football world in the wake of losing the AFC Championship Game by not committing to playing next season. "I'm going to take this offseason to evaluate, to consider all options, to consider health and family and things like that and just kind of take some time away to evaluate next season," Roethlisberger said last month. "I think that's, in my point of my career and my age, that's the prudent and smart thing to do every year." The Steelers have subsequently made it clear they expect him to return. Arians, who has remained close with Roethlisberger and is neighbors with the quarterback in their Georgia lake-home neighborhood, thinks Roethlisberger is questioning how much he wants to go through the rigors of another season. But it should be noted last season wasn't all that bad for Big Ben. Roethlisberger, 34, was hit the fewest times of any quarterback last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and was sacked 17 times in 2016, the third-fewest total. ... We'll continue to follow up as needed, but it will be a shocker if Roethlisberger isn't back for 2017.